Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19664, William Foster, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Foster, William
S 19664
Carded
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for handwritten entries]
[Ruled lines for handwritten entries]

Maine 27.520
William Porter
Lincoln Co in the State of Maine was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Rorr of the Regt commanded by Col Bridge in the Mass 5 th Troop 8th in 1775
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 1 st day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of July 1834 and sent to E Kavanagh 116 Damariscolla Mills
  Bears to the 1 st of March 1834  120    Sem-ant. allowance ending 6 Sep t  20     140  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { as June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book L
Vol. 1
Page 16
Clerk,
27.520

State of Maine
County of Lincoln ss.
On this seventh
day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two three , personally appeared in open court before the Honorable J. D. Dingley Judge of the Probate court now sitting at Rockland in and for said County, William Foster a resident of Mistol in said County, aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Gloucester in the state of Massachusetts on the fifth day of February A. D. 1750, and that there is no record of his birth to his knowledge : that he was in the United States service from the first day of March A. D. 1775, to the last day of December A. D. 1775 as a serjeant in the Infantry : that he was residing at Gloucester when he entered the service; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. John Rowe in Col. Bridges regiment in the Massachusetts line of troops : that he marched from Gloucester to Charlestown
: that he served with the regular troops; and Genl Washington & Genl Putnam were known to him: that he was in the battle of Bunker Hill regular officers and at the end of his service received a discharge at Cambridge : that he left the service on the last day of December and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Mistol state of Maine
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17 as a in the that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of : that he marched from : that he served with of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him: that he was in battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge and left the service on
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17 as a in the that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of : that he marched from : that he served with of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him; that he was in battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge and left the service on

Since to the questions propounded by the War department he answers that was born in Gloucester in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1750 - that he has no record of his birth & does not know of any - that he resided in Gloucester when called into service & that since the revolutionary war he has resided in Bristol that he enlisted voluntarily, that he was verbally discharged at Cambridge That he has already stated such officers as he can now recollect
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. except as an invalid pensioner William Foster
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Before J. Bailey Judge of Probate for the County of Lincoln
We Peasey M. Wells & William H. Sproul residing in the town of Bristol
and hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Foster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty three years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Peasey M. Wells William H. Sproul
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Before J. Bailey Judge of Probate for Lincoln County
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Peasey M. Wells who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the town of Bristol ; and that
William H. Sproul who has also signed the same is a resident in said town of Bristol and are credible persons ; and that their statement is entitled to credit. And it appears to the court that there is no clergyman residing in the vicinity of said Applicant
J. Bailey Judge of Probate for the County of Lincoln
I John H. Sheppard Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Foster for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
John H. Sheppard Regt. of Probate

adult 8 in long # 46
Ekavaleyn Sawandella hills me
me Book 1/2 1/2
Ekavaleyn 8 in long
8 in long # 46
27054 William Stokes

27056
William Foster
8 mi long #40
E Kavanagh AK
J. H. [unclear] [unclear] [unclear]
Chamberlain Grenada hills no
as much 8 mi long #40

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
No. 4 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Foster
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 9 Sergt Capt Row Col Bridges 83  of Wadsworth & Co Notary  Application should be made to the Secy of the State of Massachusetts for an award of the claimant's pension   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this            day of            personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of            in the county of            and State, Territory or District of            aged (c)            years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)           , with            and served in the            (e) regiment of the            line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I            of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of            for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of            &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the            and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with           , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,            Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this            day of            &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [d] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
comply with this

Foster, William
His name appears on a list of applicants for invalid pension returned by the District Court for the District of Maine, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers, class 9, page 85.
Rank: Sergeant
Regt: Colonel E. Bridges
Disability: Wounded in the left wrist by a musket ball, in the action of Bunker's Hill, in the actual line of his duty.
When and where disabled: June 17, 1775. Bunker's Hill
Residence: Bristol, county of Lincoln
To what pension entitled: Four-fifths
Remarks: William Foster. There is no evidence in this office whatever to ascertain the facts stated in his favor.
Evidence transmitted by the District Court, complete.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. William Fiske Case File 19664
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Mar. 6, 1775 Dec. 1775 Sgt. John Rowe Ebenezer Bridge Mass.   in all services in which he was present   was wounded at Bunker Hill   also for which, pensioned from Sept. 10, 1795  
Battles engaged in, See above
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wrentham Mass
Date of application for service pension, May 2 1833 His ch. was al.
Residence at date of application, Bristol, Lincoln Co. Me.
Age at date of application, born at Wrentham Mass Feb. 5, 1762.
Remarks: _____

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
August 18, 1925
Mrs. Alice F. Tower-Waggoner 225 Lovering Avenue Buffalo, N.Y.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 19664, it appears that WILLIAM FOSTER was born February 5, 1750, at Gloucester, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said place he enlisted March 1, 1775, and served until the last day of December, 1775, as Sergeant in Captain John Rowe's Company, Colonel Eben Bridge's Massachusetts Regiment; he was in the battle of Bunker Hill where he received a musket ball wound in his left wrist.
On account of the disability resulting from the above mentioned wound he was pensioned from September 10, 1793.
In 1833 he was a resident of Bristol, Lincoln County, Maine.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
The history of this soldier was furnished Mrs. Frank Butler of 93 Spaulding St., Buffalo, N.Y., on April 2, 1910.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

Record Division.
January 31, 1911.
Mrs. Frank Butler, # 93 Spaulding Street, Buffalo, N. Y.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 16" and received the 17" instant, you are advised that in the claim of William Foster, Sur. File No. 19,664, Rev. War, it is not stated that he was ever married.
Owing to a lack of clerical force available for such a purpose, this Bureau is unable to furnish full copies of papers on file, but any person designated by you will be allowed to examine and copy the papers in said claim.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

225 Loving Avenue Buffalo, N.Y. Aug. 13, 1925
Winfield Scott, Commissioner of Pensions Department of The Interior Bureau Of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sir:
Replying to your letter of 27th ultimo:
William Foster, born Gloucester, Mass., Feb. 5, 1750; died at Bristol, Maine, in 1840; married, about 1780, Mary Grover, (1st wife, I do not know name of 2nd wife); son John, born 1789; married Mary Thompson; died 1862.
"Sergeant and wounded at Bunker Hill" is the service given, and received a pension, on account of this wound, in 1793. Served from Gloucester, Mass. Later had a service pension also. He had a son Thomas, born 1782 & an Ebenezer. "See Vol. 57, Lineage Books of D.A.R., No. 36708, for this data.
A Mrs. Butler of Buffalo desired me to obtain detailed official information from your office concerning said Foster (her ancestor) for the purpose of filling out application blanks for membership for herself in D. F. & P. A. Society, as she is also a lineal descendant of said William Foster. She seems to know very vaguely as to his service, but her "line" is sure from him.
Hoping you can furnish official proof of his service and PENSION RECORD, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
Alice F. Tower-Waggoner
Address: Mrs. Alice F. Tower-Waggoner 225 Loving Avenue Buffalo, N.Y.

FRANK B. BUTLER REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE
93 SPAULDING STREET
Buffalo, N.Y., January 16, 1911.
J. L. Davenport, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
In re William Foster, file 19664 .
He was a soldier in the Revolution and pensioned from Sept. 10, 1793.
I am a descendant of his son John.
William Foster had three wives and eighteen children.
I am trying to find out which one of his wives was the mother of John. Does the papers on file in your office give any such information?
Could I secure a copy of the application for pension on file at your office? If so, what would be the approximate cost?
Yours very truly,
Mrs. Frank Butler,
19664
JAN 17 1911

FRANK B. BUTLER REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE
83 SPALDING STREET
Buffalo, N.Y., March 21, 1910.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
I wish to learn if possible if you have any record of granting a pension to William Foster, born in Sandy Bay (now Gloucester) Mass., and was wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was buried at Bristol, Me.
He was my great-great-grandfather and I need this information to complete my papers for admission to the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Thanking you for any service you may render, I remain,
Yours very truly,
Mrs. Frank (Mary Foster Butler)
MAR 23 1910

Revolution
19664
INVALID.
File No. 19,664
William Foster
Serg. No. S.F.
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 140
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1910 Apr. 2 Hist. to Mrs. Frank Butler (Mary Foster Butler) V.L.M.
1911 Jan. 21 Mrs. Frank Butler that it does not appear that Soldier was ever mar- ried.
1925 Aug. 18 Hist. to Mrs. Alice T. Power Waggoner, was

28 733 Rev INVALID.
File No. 28 733
William Stuter
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 141
[Arrangement of 1870.]
consolidated with S. 19664

Maine,
Massachusetts
William Foster Sergeant
Captain Rowe's company of the regi- ment commanded by Col. Bridg-
Ratio of disability,
Date of discharge,
Inscribed on the roll of Massachusetts at $6 40/100 dollars per month, to commence on the
Certificate of pension issued the _____ of and _____
Arrears to 4th _____
Semi-annual allowance ending _____
Transferred to Maine 18 Aug 1827. From the 4 March 1827. See letters 18 Aug 1827 to the Massachusetts & Maine agent.
Respecting ap n for inalien, see letter to A. Blaney, Bristol, Mass., Nov. 26. 1828. See letter to Hon. J. F. Weston H.R. 22 Dec. 1828. see letter to Sec. of War Jan. 9. 1829.

From Aaron Blamey Esq
Ans d 22. Sep 1826
A. B.

Hon d James Barbour Secretary at War.
Bristol Sept. 15 th 1826
Sir, your answer to my letter of 17 th August last relative to transferring the name of Mr e William Foster a pensioner from the Books of the Agent for the Government in Massachusetts to the Books of the Agent in Maine came duly to hand.
I beg leave to observe Mr e Foster has resided in this Town from the time his claim to a pension was first established in the y r 1794, and has from the first always received his pension at Boston. He has no wish of himself to have his name transferred to the books of the Agent for this State, and is very desirous (if not in compliance with the rules and regulations of your Office), that he may be permitted to draw his money at Boston as formerly as it is much more convenient for him than to receive it at Portland. in all human probability from his advanced age he will not require the bounty of the Government much longer.
I had made out for him & forwarded his papers to Boston as usual to receive his pension, before your answer came to hand, but I am uninformed at the moment whether payment has or has not been made. If Mr e Foster can be permitted to draw his pension at Boston as he ever has done from the first, it will be doing him a very great favour.
I am Respectfully your Obd. Servt Aaron Blaney

P. Office.
M m Foster for transfer.
Aaron Blaney, Bristol, M c .
Recd. 22 Feb. 1827.

ENOCH LINCOLN, Governor of the State of Maine: TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS:
Greeting:
KNOW YE, That Aaron Blaney, Esquire, of Bristol, whose signature is borne on the paper hereunto annexed, is one of our Justices of the Peace and of the Quorum, for our county of Lincoln. _____
Enoch Lincoln
duly nominated and appointed, commissioned and qualified; and that to his Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed. GIVEN under my hand at PORTLAND, this eighth _____ day of February _____ in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twentyseven ; and in the fifty- first year of the Independence of the United States of America.
BY THE GOVERNOR:
J. Nichols Secretary of State.

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Lincoln ss. State of Maine
On this Fourth day of October 1826, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Lincoln personally appeared William Foster who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain John Rowe in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bridge in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Massachusetts  from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Maine where he intends to remain, and wishes his Pension to be there payable, in future; and that his reasons for removing to the State of  he became a Citizen of this State by reason of the opening of the Maine Opera - Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid. Massachusetts
William Foster
Samuel Blaney Jus. of the Peace
NOTES.—The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be proved by the certificate of the proper officer, setting forth that the person taking the testimony is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The Pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also have the authentication as above required.
g v r u n

Lincoln ss Bristol Oct 4 6 th 1826
I Arnold Blaney of Bristol County of Lincoln State of Maine testify and say - That I am acquainted M c William Foster of Bristol and that I well know him to be a Pensioner of the United States, and that he is the same William Foster as mentioned in the affidavit by him made, wishing to receive his pension in the State of Maine in future -
Arnold Blaney
Lincoln ss. Oct. 4  15 th 1826 Personally appeared the above named Arnold Blaney and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him Subscribed before me. Aaron Blaney Just. of the Peace
I certify the above deponent is a credible person Aaron Blaney Just. of the Peace

James Hon: William Barbour
Bristol Feb: 12 th 1827
Sir,
Your letter covering the affidavit made by Mr. William Foster to have his name transferred to the roll of the Marine agency having been by mistake directed to Liscannor instead of Bristol where he resides is the reason the subject has not before been attended to.
I herewith enclose a document which substantiates the official character & signature of the Magistrate who administered the oaths which it is presumed will be satisfactory —
I have the Honor to be your Hon: & Hon: Servt Aaron Blaney

Bristol Aug t 10. 1827
Genl. James Barbour
Secretary at War
Sir,
It is with great reluctance that I trouble you so often and wear out the subject of M c William Foster's pension but it is purely to have corrected some little mistake that has arisen in the case — at first the name of John Foster was returned to Portland in stead of William Foster the real pensioner — on 4 th June last I received information from Joseph Swift Esq r saying "the name of W m Foster an invalid pensioner at $4 p. M c has been returned in stead of John Foster a Revolutionary pensioner at 8 dollars p. M c ."
There is no person by the name of John Foster that now or ever was a pensioner of any description of this town. William Foster is a Revolutionary pensioner, and the pension he has rec d has always been more than four dollars p. M c . The am t that is now returned for him. I respectfully request in behalf M c W m Foster that the error of the amount returned for him be received my corrected before the time of pension comes about.
I am Respectfully your Obs d Serv t Nathan Hovey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 3 d 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of William Foster, as a Serjeant, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. John Row's Company, in Col. Eben Bridges' Regt. where he is allowed from May 29 th to the 1 st of August, 1775, for services and travel, two Months and eight days. —————
m d 2 = 8
William Foster claims for further services under Capt. John Row, in Col. Bridges' Regt. in 1775, - but the roll after the 1 st of August in 1775, is not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

I John Foster of Bristol in the state of Maine aged seventy two years on oath do testify & say that William Foster of Bristol aforesaid was a sergeant in the service of the United States during the revolutionary war in the year 1775 ten months, in a company of infantry commanded by Capt. John Rowe & attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Bridge, he was in the battle of Bunker Hill where he was wounded. I was a private in the same company at the same time nine months having enlisted one month after he did we were discharged the last of december.
John Foster
Lincoln ss. May 1 st 1833 Then personally appeared the above named John Foster & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed taken at the request of William Foster.
Before me
Peasee A. Wells Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named John Foster is in my presence man of veracity & disinterested witness.
Peasee A. Wells
State of Maine. Lincoln ss. To all whom it may concern ~ I John H. Sheppard Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Lincoln. Do hereby certify that Peasee A. Wells Esq. whose name is subscribed to the annexed paper as the a justice of the Peace is legally commissioned & duly qualified to act as such & that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court of Probate this second day of May A.D. 1833.
John H. Sheppard Reg.

Damariscote Mills 10 th July 1834
I certify that John H. Sheppard whose name is affixed to this paper was at the date thereof the Register of Probate for the County of Lincoln in the State of Maine, and that the said signature is his own proper hand writing
Edward Haveragh
Deposition of John Foster Taken for William Foster